Eagles

an eagle is born with indomitable spirit
strength and will that awes mere man
it is a leader, an example to animals and people alike
a fighter, a survivor, a winner
but even an eagle can be hurt

if as a fledgling, the eagle breaks his wing
he will spiral downward into places he'd never choose to go
his will to survive, excel, and lead
is so strong that he'll try anything to fight his way back
inside himself, he knows that he CAN make it

there are eagles of man
men whose spirit lead and protect by instinct
if you are an eagle, you try hard to hide
your spirit, pride, and abilities behind characteristics
those around you will accept
as you continue trying to fight your way home

not home to the place of your birth
but home to the gifts wrapped up inside you
you have tried so long to do this alone
setting up walls to protect you from further pain
trying ways to escape that only magnify your pain

the gift i offer you is understanding -
equal suffering and loss of self
from these i have learned i am not an eagle alone
i will depend on many, often wrongly so
but i can only continue to trust and feel the pain
as it happens
to those of us that are eagles, the pain is inevitable

only another eagle can understand fully
our fight and our destiny
i understand you more than you would like
remember, you are an eagle,
an inspiration to man and animals
you can have help if you reach for it,
giving up the struggle to do it alone
giving up the intermittent joys that appear to mask your pain
all in favor of finding your way back up that spiral and surviving -
for you are truly an eagle.

Author - Laurie Schick